System and method for video game promotions based on real world transactions

ABSTRACT

A system, method and computer program product for video game promotions processing and generation based on real world transactions, including a promotion processing system; and a transaction system coupled over a communications network to the promotion processing system, wherein the promotion processing system is configured to generate a video game promotion based on a real world transaction performed on the transaction system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/233,422 of BAKKER, entitled “SYSTEM ANDMETHOD FOR VIDEO GAME PROMOTIONS BASED ON REAL WORLD TRANSACTIONS,”filed on Aug. 12, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods forprocessing promotions, and more particularly to a system and method forvideo game promotions processing and generation based on real worldtransactions.

2. Discussion of the Background

Promotion processing systems and methods have been employed for numerousyears in stores and online for providing purchasing incentives, and thelike. However, the present promotion systems and methods typically areonly configured for processing promotions with respect to real worldonline and offline transactions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, there is a need for a method and system that addresses theabove and other problems with conventional systems and methods forprocessing promotions. The above and other problems are addressed by theexemplary embodiments of the present invention, which provide a novelsystem and method for video game promotions processing and generationbased on real world transactions. For example, based on online andoffline credit card transactions, bank transactions, point-of-saletransactions, retail purchases, loyalty card transactions, credit cardand bank account balances and payments, credit card and bank accountcredits and rewards, and the like, the exemplary system and method cangenerate online or offline video game promotions, such as incentives andcoupons for games, game credits, game play time credits, specialfeatures for games, special characters for games, special weapons forgames, game currencies, special features for game characters, gametokens, special game levels, special game missions, game cheats, and thelike.

Accordingly, in exemplary aspects of the present invention there isprovided a system, method and computer program product for video gamepromotions processing and generation based on real world transactions,including a promotion processing system; and a transaction systemcoupled over a communications network to the promotion processingsystem, wherein the promotion processing system is configured togenerate a video game promotion based on a real world transactionperformed on the transaction system.

Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present inventionare readily apparent from the following detailed description, byillustrating a number of exemplary embodiments and implementations,including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the presentinvention. The present invention is also capable of other and differentembodiments, and its several details can be modified in variousrespects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regardedas illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way ofexample, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of theaccompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer tosimilar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system for video game promotionsprocessing and generation based on real world transactions; and

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flow chart corresponding to the videogame promotions processing and generation system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and moreparticularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is illustrated an exemplary system100 for video game promotions processing and generation based on realworld transactions. In FIG. 1, the system 100 includes an exemplaryvideo game promotions processing and generation system 102 coupled overa communications network 104 (e.g., the Internet, wirelesscommunications network, satellite communications network, local areanetwork (LAN), wide area network (WLAN), etc.), to one or more gameserver systems 106, game client systems 108, banking system 110 s (e.g.,including debit card systems, etc.), credit card systems 112, andpoint-of-sale (POS) systems 114 (e.g., including loyalty systems, retailsystems, etc.), and the like. The exemplary video game promotionsprocessing and generation system 102 is configured to provide video gamepromotions processing and generation based on real world transactions.For example, based on online and offline credit card transactions, banktransactions, point-of-sale transactions, retail purchases, loyalty cardtransactions, credit card and bank account balances and payments, creditcard and bank account credits and rewards, and the like, the exemplarysystem 102 can generate online or offline video game promotions, such asincentives and coupons for games, game credits, game play time credits,special features for games, special characters for games, specialweapons for games, game currencies, special features for gamecharacters, game tokens, special game levels, special game missions,game cheats, and the like.

For virtual world (VW) applications, such as Second Life, and the like,a user's real world transactions, as previously described and asmonitored by the exemplary system 102, can be used to providepromotions, such as Linden dollars, branded clothing for Avatars,special powers for Avatars, and the like, for such users. Similarly, formassively multiplayer online (MMO) games, such as World of Warcraft, andthe like, such real world transactions can be used to provide specialweapons, special powers, spells, branded characters, cheats, tokens, andthe like. For first person shooter (FPS) games, such as Call of Duty,and the like, such real world transactions can be used to providespecial weapons, special skills, cheats, and the like. As will beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts(s), suchpromotions can be provided for online and offline PC gaming systems,console gaming systems, smart phone gaming systems, and the like. In anexemplary embodiment, a VW, MMO, FPS, and the like, “Battle of theBrands” video game can be provided that, for example, pits Pepsidrinkers against Coke drinkers, and the like.

The exemplary system 102 is configured to associate a user's real worldtransactions, for example, based on identifications of the user (e.g.,bank and credit card account numbers, loyalty card numbers, driverslicense numbers, etc.) with the user's online or offline video gameidentifications (e.g., user names, character names, IP addresses, CDkeys, game keys, etc.) to deliver the promotions for the user.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flow chart 200 corresponding to thevideo game promotions processing and generation system 100 of FIG. 1. InFIG. 2, at step 202, a user performs an online or offline transactionwith one of the systems 106-114, as previously described. At step 204,the video game promotions processing and generation system 102, coupledover the communications network 104 to the system 106-114 used forperforming the transaction, determines the online or offline video gamepromotion based on the identification of the user during the transactionand the user's online or offline video game identifications. At step206, the video game promotions processing and generation system 102delivers the online or offline video game promotion to the user, userdevice, gaming system, and the like, completing the process. Thepromotions can be delivered online via the communications network 104(e.g., including via e-mail, Sort Message Service (SMS), EnhancedMessaging Service (EMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), in gamemessaging or communications, etc.) and/or offline via paper coupons,regular mail, at the point-of-sale, retail store, and the like.

In further exemplary embodiments, the system 100 can also be configuredto allow users to text their location and/or printer identification (ID)so that the system can send a coupon and/or promotion to thecorresponding printer associated with the location and/or printeridentification (ID).

The above-described devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodimentsof FIGS. 1-2 can include, for example, any suitable servers,workstations, PCs, laptop computers, PDAs, Internet appliances, handhelddevices, cellular telephones, wireless devices, other devices, and thelike, capable of performing the processes of the exemplary embodimentsof FIGS. 1-2. The devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments ofFIGS. 1-2 can communicate with each other using any suitable protocoland can be implemented using one or more programmed computer systems ordevices.

One or more interface mechanisms can be used with the exemplaryembodiments of FIGS. 1-2, including, for example, Internet access,telecommunications in any suitable form (e.g., voice, modem, and thelike), wireless communications media, and the like. For example, theemployed communications networks can include one or more wirelesscommunications networks, cellular communications networks, 3Gcommunications networks, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTNs),Packet Data Networks (PDNs), the Internet, intranets, a combinationthereof, and the like. Accordingly, the devices and subsystems of theexemplary embodiments can be implemented on the World Wide Web.

It is to be understood that the devices and subsystems of the exemplaryembodiments of FIGS. 1-2 are for exemplary purposes, as many variationsof the specific hardware and/or software used to implement the exemplaryembodiments are possible, as will be appreciated by those skilled in therelevant art(s). For example, the functionality of one or more of thedevices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-2 can beimplemented via one or more programmed computer systems or devices.

To implement such variations as well as other variations, a singlecomputer system can be programmed to perform the special purposefunctions of one or more of the devices and subsystems of the exemplaryembodiments of FIGS. 1-2. On the other hand, two or more programmedcomputer systems or devices can be substituted for any one of thedevices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-2.Accordingly, principles and advantages of distributed processing, suchas redundancy, replication, and the like, also can be implemented, asdesired, to increase the robustness and performance the devices andsubsystems of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-2.

The devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-2 canstore information relating to various processes described herein. Thisinformation can be stored in one or more memories, such as a hard disk,optical disk, magneto-optical disk, RAM, and the like, of the devicesand subsystems of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-2. One or moredatabases of the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments ofFIGS. 1-2 can store the information used to implement the exemplaryembodiments of the present invention. The databases can be organizedusing data structures (e.g., records, tables, arrays, fields, graphs,trees, lists, and the like) included in one or more memories or storagedevices listed herein. The processes described with respect to theexemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-2 can include appropriate datastructures for storing data collected and/or generated by the processesof the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-2in one or more databases thereof.

All or a portion of the devices and subsystems of the exemplaryembodiments of FIGS. 1-2 can be conveniently implemented using one ormore general purpose computer systems, microprocessors, digital signalprocessors, micro-controllers, and the like, programmed according to theteachings of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as willbe appreciated by those skilled in the computer and software arts.Appropriate software can be readily prepared by programmers of ordinaryskill based on the teachings of the exemplary embodiments, as will beappreciated by those skilled in the software art. In addition, thedevices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-2 can beimplemented by the preparation of application-specific integratedcircuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventionalcomponent circuits, as will be appreciated by those skilled in theelectrical art(s). Thus, the exemplary embodiments are not limited toany specific combination of hardware circuitry and/or software.

Stored on any one or on a combination of computer readable media, theexemplary embodiments of the present invention can include software forcontrolling the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments ofFIGS. 1-2, for driving the devices and subsystems of the exemplaryembodiments of FIGS. 1-2, for enabling the devices and subsystems of theexemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-2 to interact with a human user, andthe like. Such software can include, but is not limited to, devicedrivers, firmware, operating systems, development tools, applicationssoftware, and the like. Such computer readable media further can includethe computer program product of an embodiment of the present inventionfor performing all or a portion (if processing is distributed) of theprocessing performed in implementing the exemplary embodiments of FIGS.1-2. Computer code devices of the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention can include any suitable interpretable or executable codemechanism, including but not limited to scripts, interpretable programs,dynamic link libraries (DLLs), Java classes and applets, completeexecutable programs, Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA)objects, and the like. Moreover, parts of the processing of theexemplary embodiments of the present invention can be distributed forbetter performance, reliability, cost, and the like.

As stated above, the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodimentsof FIGS. 1-2 can include computer readable medium or memories forholding instructions programmed according to the teachings of thepresent invention and for holding data structures, tables, records,and/or other data described herein. Computer readable medium can includeany suitable medium that participates in providing instructions to aprocessor for execution. Such a medium can take many forms, includingbut not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, transmissionmedia, and the like. Non-volatile media can include, for example,optical or magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, and the like. Volatilemedia can include dynamic memories, and the like. Transmission media caninclude coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optics, and the like.Transmission media also can take the form of acoustic, optical,electromagnetic waves, and the like, such as those generated duringradio frequency (RF) communications, infrared (IR) data communications,and the like. Common forms of computer-readable media can include, forexample, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, anyother suitable magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other suitableoptical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any othersuitable physical medium with patterns of holes or other opticallyrecognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any othersuitable memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other suitablemedium from which a computer can read.

While the present invention have been described in connection with anumber of exemplary embodiments and implementations, the presentinvention is not so limited, but rather covers various modifications andequivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appendedclaims.

1. A system for video game promotions processing and generation based on real world transactions, the system comprising: a promotion processing system; and a transaction system coupled over a communications network to the promotion processing system, wherein the promotion processing system is configured to generate a video game promotion based on a real world transaction performed on the transaction system.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the transaction system includes one of a game server system, a game client system, a banking system, including a debit card system, a credit card system, and a point-of-sale (POS) system, including a loyalty system, and a retail system.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the transaction includes one of an online or offline credit card transaction, bank transaction, point-of-sale transaction, retail purchase, and loyalty card transaction.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the video game promotion includes one of an online or offline video game promotion, including an incentive or coupon for a game, a game credit, a game play time credit, a feature for a game, a character for a game, a weapon for a game, a game currency, a feature for a game character, a game token, a game level, a game mission, and a game cheat.
 5. A method for video game promotions processing and generation based on real world transactions, the method comprising: coupling a transaction system over a communications network to a promotion processing system; and generating by the promotion processing system a video game promotion based on a real world transaction performed on the transaction system.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the transaction system includes one of a game server system, a game client system, a banking system, including a debit card system, a credit card system, and a point-of-sale (POS) system, including a loyalty system, and a retail system.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the transaction includes one of an online or offline credit card transaction, bank transaction, point-of-sale transaction, retail purchase, and loyalty card transaction.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the video game promotion includes one of an online or offline video game promotion, including an incentive or coupon for a game, a game credit, a game play time credit, a feature for a game, a character for a game, a weapon for a game, a game currency, a feature for a game character, a game token, a game level, a game mission, and a game cheat.
 9. A computer program product for video game promotions processing and generation based on real world transactions and including one or more computer readable instructions embedded on a computer readable medium and configured to cause one or more computer processors to perform the steps of: coupling a transaction system over a communications network to a promotion processing system; and generating by the promotion processing system a video game promotion based on a real world transaction performed on the transaction system.
 10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the transaction system includes one of a game server system, a game client system, a banking system, including a debit card system, a credit card system, and a point-of-sale (POS) system, including a loyalty system, and a retail system.
 11. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the transaction includes one of an online or offline credit card transaction, bank transaction, point-of-sale transaction, retail purchase, and loyalty card transaction.
 12. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the video game promotion includes one of an online or offline video game promotion, including an incentive or coupon for a game, a game credit, a game play time credit, a feature for a game, a character for a game, a weapon for a game, a game currency, a feature for a game character, a game token, a game level, a game mission, and a game cheat. 